A strong performance by Jennie Linden keeps this thriller gripping and along with the horrific dreams, jaw dropping. She's a private girl's school student plagued by haunting memoriesof when she was a child coming out in nightmares where she wakes up screaming. A holiday away seems necessary, and along with a companion and tutor from her school, she returns home. but the nightmares continue, and actually seem to get worse, and just results and a sudden act of violence where her sanity really comes into question while all the puzzle pieces around her begin to fall into place, for the audience at least if not for her.

While Linden is surrounded by a supposed caring staff of servants, secretaries, attorneys and doctors because of her crazy family situation, not everyone seems above board so suspicions fall on everyone in the household. Her mother is supposedly planted inside a creepy looking mental institution, and once the audience learns of her family background, something definitely seems up that isn't right about what people believe about the past.

As the dreams seem to be haunting Linden even when she's awake, it's often an obstacle to figure out what are the dreams, her own hallucinations or possibly a plot against her. what's perplexing to the audience because as soon as they seem to figure out what the truth is, something comes along that proves them wrong, and that is what the genius in the script is. The gloomy atmosphere, particularly in the dreams and hallucinations, really makes this intriguing and interesting visually.

The twist and turn become more fast and furious as it nears its conclusion, and even then, it's difficult to see what will be coming around each corner. David Knight and Moira Redmond are memorable as the shady villains in the story with the twist of sudden identities being revealed about particular characters quite a shock as they are made known to the audience. This is a mystery horror thriller where it is best to expect the unexpected, and that's what makes it an absolute thrill to watch.

Janet has been sent home from her residential school due to her being constantly plagued by horrible dreams. It's hoped that a rest might help, but it's also very natural that she's having troubles, as only six years earlier, she witnessed her mother going on a bloody rampage! Janet is worried that she, too, might be losing her mind. Unfortunately, there are those out there that might just be helping to speed up this process! Exactly what happens next is pretty exciting, but I won't say more, as I don't want to spoil the suspense and many cool twists.

Now if you are looking for a subtle film, then this might not be it! Like STRAIGHT-JACKET, the movie has many great suspense elements but also is a bit of a guilty pleasure because of the extremely intense and LOUD acting! Also, like DIABOLIQUE, the film has so many good plots within plots that you're never exactly sure who's orchestrating what. Additionally, there are also story elements that are highly reminiscent of HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE. If you like any of these films, then you'll no doubt like NIGHTMARE.

A wonderful script and a great mood make this Hammer suspense film a terrific film for lovers of suspense.

When was an eleven year-old child, Janet witnessed her insane mother stabbing her father to death on their bed. Six years later, Janet (Jennie Linden) is a wealthy teenager outcast in a boarding school afflicted by dreadful nightmares and fearing to have inherited her mother´s insanity. After a series of nightmares, her teacher Mary Lewis (Brenda Bruce) brings Janet home and she is welcomed by the family chauffeur John (George A. Cooper),by his wife and housekeeper Mrs. Gibbs (Irene Richmond) and by the beautiful nurse Grace Maddox (Moira Redmond),who was hired as a companion by her guardian Henry Baxter (David Knight). However Janet continues to have nightmares with a woman (Clytie Jessop) with a scar on her face and wearing a white shroud wandering in the house and stabbed on her parents´ bed. After trying to commit suicide, two doctors and Henry summon Janet to the living room to decide whether she should go to an asylum. When Henry brings his wife to the room, Janet sees the woman with scar and stabs her to death. She is sent to an institution and soon a diabolical plot is disclosed. What will happen next?

"Nightmare" is an underrated and unknown thriller by Hammer, with a great story of greed and insanity. The plot is predictable but also engaging. The black and white cinematography and the camera work are magnificent. Jennie Linden never convinces as a teenager but the rest of the cast is excellent. The hysterical behavior of women on the 60´s is annoying but a reality in those years. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Cilada Diabólica" ("Devilish Entrapment")